Fani-Kayode reassigned as South Africa ambassador-designate after Germany posting

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has been reassigned as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to South Africa after initially being posted to Germany.

Fani-Kayode disclosed the development on Thursday, stating that President Bola Tinubu approved the redeployment following his request for a change in posting.

According to him, he informed the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, that he was uncomfortable with the Germany assignment for personal reasons.

He explained that having spent much of his life in Europe, he preferred to serve in South Africa, a country he said aligns more closely with his political and foreign policy outlook.

Fani-Kayode also noted that South Africa’s economic influence on the continent, its ties with Nigeria, and what he described as its pan-African orientation influenced his preference for the posting.

He expressed appreciation to Tuggar and Tinubu for approving the request.

Following the reshuffle, Ita Enang, who had earlier been assigned to South Africa, will now serve as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Germany.

The redeployment comes weeks after reports claimed that the German government rejected Fani-Kayode’s nomination over alleged concerns about his past public comments and conduct.

The reports also emerged shortly after he was reportedly involved in a disagreement with Richard Montgomery during a Ramadan dinner in Abuja hosted by Bashir Lado.

However, Fani-Kayode denied that Germany rejected him, describing the reports as false and malicious.

He said the reports were fabricated by an online publication and intended to embarrass him, the federal government, and President Tinubu.

According to him, the claims were based on “hearsay” and “cheap gossip,” adding that the reports surfaced around the same time the Ministry of Foreign Affairs forwarded an agreement relating to his redeployment to South Africa.